David Folker's lawyers file notice to appeal his conviction on second-degree murder

Murderer David Folker is appealing his second-degree murder conviction. His lawyers filed the appeal documents today with the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court of Appeal.

Convicted murderer David Folker is led out of Newfoundland Supreme Court in St. John's in this Telegram file photo.

The notice was filed today at the court in St. John's. There is no word on when the appeal will be heard.

Folker was found guilty — on Nov. 8 by a jury after a lengthy trial – of second-degree murder in the death of Ann Marie Shirran – his common-law wife and his young son's mother – and of committing an indignity to her body.

Shirran's skeletal remains were found by campers on Sept. 3, 2010, in a wooded area in Cappahayden. Some of her body parts had been dragged off by animals.

He was sentenced to the mandatory life in prison. Justice Wayne Dymond ruled that Folker can't apply for parole until he spends 15 years behind bars.

Experts testified at the trial that Shirran suffered two fractures to her head caused by forceful blows.

In the opening days of his trial, Folker admitted Shirran died during a physical altercation between the two at their apartment in Kilbride on July 18, 2010. At the time, their relationship was coming to an end.

He also admitted he disposed of her personal items in the woods off Blackhead Road and dumped her body. He admitted he lied to police about her being missing, despite the extensive search that was underway.

Folker had insisted Shirran's death was an accident and that he disposed of her body because he panicked.

The jury didn't buy it and took a little more than a day of deliberation to convict the Nova Scotia man.

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truth

January 16, 2014 - 22:55

Our justice system is a joke. This guy killed his girlfriend and disregared her body like it was nothing more then a dirty rag. He should be behind bars for the rest of his life. Actually that is to good for him, he should be sentenced to death. Not only did he take the life of his girlfriend, he has forever ruined the life of his son. That poor boy now has to grow up with no parents. Now our wonderful justice system is going to drag out this appeal and in the end he may serve 7 or so years. Like the saying goes " you can get away with mudder in this country".

When you are looking at a lot of years in prison and somebody says you should appeal, you go for it. If nothing else, you get out of prison for a while and take a trip to court. Hopefully the judge says no. Guys in prison have lots of time to think.